I had to do a little impromptu construction last week. I had to enclose in our chicken yard to keep our chickens from escaping. They’d gotten big enough to fly over the fence and this last week I arrived home just in time to see one fly out onto the lawn. Before I could do anything about it our dog, Lily, grabbed it and, well, we have one last chicken.
I knew I had to fix their enclosure right away, because everytime Ana loses a chicken it breaks her heart. I bought wood and wire and whipped together a covered chicken yard that should keep them safe for the foreseeable future. It ain’t pretty, but it is secure.
I’m not sure the chickens appreciate my efforts, however. They look longingly at the green grass of the yard, unaware of the danger that lurks there. All they can see is that lush grass and the wire restricting their freedom to enjoy it.
We humans are too often like our chickens. We don’t like being fenced in by God’s Law, even though it was given for our own good, to protect us from the consequences which come with straying beyond its borders.
We want to be free to enjoy the pleasures of this world without the “fence” of God’s law to hold us back. What we forget is outside of the protection which God’s law provides there lies an “enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).
True freedom is not found in chasing after what the world has to offer. Real freedom comes from accepting Jesus as your Savior and then keeping His commandments, out of love and gratefulness for what He has done for you.
When you do this, choosing to live within God’s will as outlined in His Word, God sets you free from guilt, from fear, from regret. Then you will be truly free and “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
This Sabbath, open God’s Word and “look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free…”. If you do this and ‘if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:25). You will discover for yourself what true freedom is all about.
God bless and have a Happy Sabbath!